Top Signs of Nurse Fatigue—and What to Do About It

hello067308
May 1
4 min read

If you’ve been feeling worn down lately, you’re not alone. According to the American Nurses Association, 62% of nurses report experiencing burnout. And among nurses under 25, that number climbs to 69%. Recognizing the signs early can make a huge difference for your patients and your well-being.

Let’s discuss what nurse fatigue really is and what you can do to feel like yourself again.

Top Signs of Nurse Fatigue—and What to Do About It

1. You’re Exhausted… Even After a Day Off

We all expect to be tired after a double shift. But if you’re still feeling bone-deep tired after a whole night’s sleep or a weekend off, it might be more than just physical. Nurse fatigue is a mix of physical, mental, and emotional depletion. And no, it’s not something you can fix with just one nap or a coffee run.

What to do: Start small. Even 10 minutes of stretching, going for a walk, or sitting in silence without your phone can help your nervous system reset. Your body is not a machine. Give it space to rest, not just sleep.

2. You’re not sleeping well

Even if you’re technically in bed for 8 hours, your mind might be replaying conversations, stressing about charting, or running through tomorrow’s tasks. The result? You're never truly rested.

What to do: A calming bedtime ritual can help. For 30 minutes before sleep, avoid screens. Take a shower, a slow stretch, or even a familiar show that doesn’t require thinking. Your body needs sleep, but your mind needs peace first.

3. You Feel Detached or “Numb”

You used to connect deeply with your patients. You’d remember their stories, check in on their families, and feel proud of your actions. But lately? You might feel like you’re just going through the motions. That emotional detachment can be a major sign of fatigue.

What to do: You’re allowed to feel what you feel. Try journaling after your shift or talking it out with someone who gets it, like another nurse, a therapist, or even just a trusted friend. You don’t have to carry it all silently.

4. You Can’t Focus Like You Used To

Making quick decisions, catching details, and remembering shift reports are critical parts of nursing. But fatigue clouds your thinking. If you’re finding it more challenging to concentrate, zoning out mid-task, or second-guessing yourself constantly, you’re not losing your edge—you’re overworked.

What to do: Give your brain a breather. Take micro-breaks during your shift to pause and breathe. Just 60 seconds of focused breathing can reduce stress and increase clarity. Outside of work, try screen-free time to give your mind a chance to recharge.

5. You feel irritable, overwhelmed, or tearful more often

Small things feel huge. A printer jam, a side comment, or a patient family asking too many questions might set you off. It’s not that you’re too sensitive. It’s because your reserves are low.

What to do: Name it when it’s happening—“I’m not okay right now, and that’s valid.” Permit yourself to feel what you're feeling, even if it doesn’t seem “professional.” You’re allowed to have hard days, too. Mindfulness can help. Try a five-minute grounding exercise—touch something cold, name five things you see, take three slow breaths.

6. You’ve Stopped Taking Care of Yourself

Skipping meals. Ignoring thirst and forgetting to pack snacks or do your laundry. When you’re constantly in survival mode, it’s easy to lose the energy to care for yourself outside of work. But over time, that adds up—and takes a real toll.

What to do: Start with one small act of self-kindness. Drink water before your shift. Pack something nourishing to eat. Lay out your scrubs the night before. These moments of care are essential.

7. You’ve Thought About Quitting

Maybe it was a passing thought: “I can’t do this anymore.” Or perhaps you’ve seriously considered walking away. That doesn’t mean you’re failing—you’ve been giving too much for too long without enough space to breathe.

A study by the JAMA Network reports that 34% of nurses who quit their jobs did so because of a stressful workplace.

What to do: Don’t make big decisions while running on empty. Give yourself time to rest and reflect. Talk it out. Make a list of what you need to feel supported. You might not need to quit—you might just need a reset.

So, what can you do?

You won’t always be able to change the workload, the pace, or the patient acuity. But you can take care of yourself within those constraints. That starts with small things:

Take your breaks. Even if it’s five minutes, take it like it matters—because it does.
Talk to someone you trust. A fellow nurse, a friend, a partner. You don’t have to carry it alone.
Keep something just for you outside of work. A hobby, a walk, a playlist. Anything that reminds you you’re more than a nurse.
Use tools that support you. Anything that makes your day even a little easier is worth it—apps, shortcuts, templates, voice notes. Less mental load = more space to breathe.

Stress and burnout don’t just affect you—they impact your ability to give care and stay in the profession long term. But here's the good news: small changes can help. They don’t fix everything, but they remind your mind and body that you're worth protecting.

One final note

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, it doesn’t mean you’re weak. It means you’re working under pressure and still trying to show up for others. That’s a strength. Fatigue doesn't define you. You’re still a great nurse, even when you’re tired.

You deserve rest. You deserve care. You deserve to feel okay.

And most importantly, it’s okay to ask for help. Being a great nurse doesn’t mean being invincible. It means showing up, and that includes for yourself, too.